Teaching
What is a singing teacher’s job?
A singing teacher’s job is to help the student build a comprehensive musical skill set. This involves developing a reliable singing technique and helping the student scaffold musical skills so that they can become a self-sufficient musician. Teaching also involves mentorship and is usually a longer term collaboration.
My teaching style
Versatility…
The ability to be a versatile and resourceful artist has been the hallmark of my own career which has featured professional performance experience in a wide variety of musical genres.
If you are interested in singing authentically in different genres, I can help you explore the cross over benefits of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) and Classical vocal techniques, and incorporate ideas about text, sound, physicality and authenticity into your singing practice.
Collaboration…
I work in a collaborative learning environment where each student can learn and grow in a respectful and nurturing space.
No matter the age or experience level of the client, the core tenets of my teaching style are collaboration and communication. As a voice teacher and coach the key elements of my role are to listen and guide the client on their own unique learning journey, build confidence, and create a learning environment that encourages agency and independence.
Kinaesthetic….
If you are experiencing vocal issues, my unique kinaesthetic approach to vocal technique will get you out of your head and into your body to help you find more efficiency and strength in your singing.
In my kinaesthetic teaching style, which links learning to movement and sensory experience, I have created a technical tool kit which features hands-on tools, giving clients a tangible and autonomous way of finding solutions to technical challenges in the practice room. Having explored the benefits of kinaesthetic learning through these tools, the client can then use them to problem-solve in their own practice.
Cross-over…
My teaching style incorporates both Classical and Contemporary Commercial Music vocal techniques and I am interested in finding cross-over applications between these genres.
Since 2014 I have been the resident Singing Coach at the Stratford Festival of Canada. My work has been greatly influenced by the artistic process of some of Canada’s most elite actors, musical theatre performers, and theatre practitioners.
I hold an accreditation in CCM vocal pedagogy from the Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute of the Shenandoah Conservatory (Shenandoah University, Winchester Virginia, U.S.A).
I am an associate of the Royal College of Music (U.K), and hold postgraduate Diplomas in Opera and Concert Singing. My career as a professional classical singer has spanned twenty years on national and international stages.
Where I teach
Teaching at Wilfrid Laurier University
In my work with singers at all stages of their learning journey, it is my teaching responsibility to work with the student to build the foundational singing skills required to successfully embark on a musical career. This means working towards competency in reading music, accurate diction, a healthy vocal technique, good breath management, and a knowledge of vocal function.
It is my goal as a teacher to spark curiosity, build confidence and self-awareness, develop critical thinking and independent learning skills, provide experiential learning opportunities, and guide my students towards becoming versatile musicians in the community.
Teaching in my private practice
I teach a wide variety of clientele privately in my home studio in Stratford Ontario and offer lessons in person and online. Clients have a range of goals which can include:
Preparation for auditions, competitions and exams
Development of a bespoke audition package in musical theatre, classical or cross-over repertoire
lessons for youth and adults
Improvement of musical skills including sight reading and ear training, breath management, range expansion and efficient vocal projection
Role study
Student success
My students have gone on to work professionally with orchestras and theatre companies across Canada. They have attended young artist training programmes and have emerged onto the national stage as versatile musicians.
Student success on the professional stage:
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Stratford Summer Music Festival
Here for Now Festival (Stratford, ON)
Drayton Entertainment (Cambridge, ON)
Grand Theatre (London, ON)
National Arts Centre (Ottawa, ON)
Stratford Festival of Canada
Student success in young artist training programmes:
Opera Kelowna, (Kelowna, BC)
Opera NUOVA, (Edmonton, AB)
Orford Academy of Music, (Orford, QC)
Stratford Summer Music Masterclasses